Hot-water heating system



NOV. 28, M KRONFELD i I HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 4, 1943 mamazare PATENT oFFicE 'nor-.wam mismo srsm Maxim Kronfe'ld, New York, N. Y.

sanitation November 4, 194s, sum No. seam 'scum This invention relatesto vhotwater heating systems and to methods involved therein.

Oneobiect of the invention is to provide an improvemuit in the artwhereby on of l with particular advantage to small buildings,

private homes, andto individual stores, wherein compactness of theheating plant is desirable, and where the latter may have to be locatedat the same elevation as 'the space or structure that is to be heated,in which case the former hot water systems operating by naturalcirculation would be unsatisfactory and low in overall heatingeiliciency.

It is well known that the hot water system is adapted. for high heatingeiliciency, much more so than asteam heating system, because in theformer the circulating fluid is heated only to a temperature ofapproximately 180 degrees F., whereby there is a superior tron of heatfrom the firing `chamber. .But maintenance of the termperature statedrequires a satisfactory circulation of water unimpeded by excessivefrictional pipe and elbow resistance-a condition seldom realized, sincesmall installations are usually cheaply and poorly constructed, whereaslarge installations include a multitude of branches and connections. Inthat respect even the steam heating system often necessitates the use ofsubstantial steam pressures, and in large buildings is replaced by theexpensive vacuum steam heating system. B t the latter does not aifordthe conl fort and even heat of the constantly operating hot watersystem.

it is. therefore, another object of the invention to provide a systemwhich is freeof the diiliculties indicated and www all the advantagesreferred to, while causing a positive circulation of the heated watermore rapid than that of ythe former hot water systems, yet sufflcientlyslow for proper heat tron, the

rate of circulation being easily adjusted and predetermined, and themeans-for causing the circulation requiring very little power.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a system of thenature setforth, wherein the positive circulating means cooperates in anovel manner with the system so as to produce circulation by liftingDart of the through a predetermined head at one section, and then regIstoring it to the system at another section, whereby the positive meansacts in an indirect manner, vso that the rate of circulation is reliablycontrolled although the positive means includes a rotor direct connectedto an electrical motor.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a system) of the characterdescribed having a cir-- culation producing unit comprising improvedmeans for maintaining, constant the volume of water in the system, andfor taking care of any overflow, and for permitting the system to bereadilyy drained and refilled with water.

Another object of the invention is to construct a system of the typementioned wherein a forced circulation is caused in an improved means inl0 the same or in opposite direction to the normal flow of the water dueto temperature diierences therein, so thatthe system .ahigh degree offlexibility of installation and operation and can be embodied in verysmall systems or in 26 large central heating systems.

The present patent application may be regarded as a continuation in partfor my application Serial No. 498,929, nled August 7, 1943, for Hotwater heating system, and represents various improvements over the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe specification prov ceeds. as With the aforesaid objects in view, theinvenrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferredembodiments, pointed out in the sub- Joined claims, and illustrated inthe annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the samereference characters throughout the several views.

taken through the center of the heating unit, oertain parts being shownin elevation. y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the means forproducing the circulation of water, with certain adjoining partsy .shownin modified form.

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of circulatory A relation to each otherof a plurality of radiators tion consists in the novel combinations andarthat may be regarded as located in different rooms.V

Fig. is a view in elevation of a coil type radiator, withcertainadjoining parts disassembled and others in section, showing afeature-of the system.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of a conventional radiator as connectedinto a system provided by the invention.

The advantages v'of the invention as here outlined are best realizedwhen all of its features and instrumentalities, are combined in one andthe same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying lessthan the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the artY to which the inventionappertains, that the same may be incorporated inhseveral differentconstructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merelyas showing the preferred exemplifioation of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I Il denotes a hot water heatingsystem embodying the invention. The same may include a plurality ofrisers I I, I2 connectible by union fittings I3 with pipes I4, I 5respectively, which lead to horizontal conduits I6, I1 lying under thefloor line I9. As-

sociated with these conduits is a conduit I9 similarly located andcooperating withthe former for connecting into a parallelcircuit aplurality of radiators 20, which may be regarded as located in differentrooms. Any one of these radiators may be cut oil for inspection andrepair by'clcsing its individual valves 2I, Without affecting thecircuit to the other radiators. Preferably, the radiators are connectedto their conduits by individual union fittings in the manner indicatedin Fig. 1. More specifically, this is shown in Fig. 6, wherein aradiator 22, corresponding to that at 20, is connected to branches 23,24 leading respectively to conduits I5, I9, or I1, I9, with the aid ofunion fittings 25 that connect to the valves 26 corresponding to thoseshown at 2l. Alternatively, a radiator such as shown at 21 may beemployed, this consisting of a coil whose rectangular turns 28 lie inhorizontal planes and are successively interconnected at 29 to form acontinuous coil. At the upper and lower ends of the coil are the uprightpipes 30, 3l respectively connected by union fittings 32 to nipples orbranch pipes 33, 34 that may lead respectively to conduits I9, I6 or I9,I1.' The horizontal turns 28 may be supported as by a frame or bolts orrods 35, which, being conventional, need not be shown in detail. Valvesmay be omitted for the radiator 21, but in other respects it operatesexactly like that at 22, and may have the same heat transmissioncapacity. In certain ways, the radiator 21 is superior in that there isa uniform and even flow of water therethrough for eiilcient heatingcapacity.

By the arrangement of the union fittings I3, 25 and 32 it will be seenthat a substantial part of the heating system can be installed in ahighly convenient manner; large parts may be assembled elsewhere andthen shipped and installed. Furthermore, existing installations may bereadily ohanged, as by separately changing the horizontal conduits ifthat should be necessary.

One ofthe risers II, I2 is connected to a source of heat such as afurnace fired in any suitable manner, but to illustrate a highly compactand simple system, I prefer to show a coil type heater 36, having asource of electrical heat or gaseous fuel. The heater 35 may include a,casing 35a and a helical coil 31 which may be connected into the conduitl2. To assure maximum heating, a helical coil type of burner 3l isemployed connected to any source of gaseous fuel (not shown). Thisburner 39 isperforated throughout its length to afford a multiplicity ofsmall holes whose flames closely. directly impinge the water coil 31substantially throughout the length thereof. Thus the water will berapidly heated in a relatively small space. An air intake pipe 39 and anexhaust pipe 40 lead from the heater through the building wall 4I to theoutside so as not to affect the atmosphere in the building and to renderthe same wholly safe against leaking gas, incomplete combustion, and thelike. 'I'he free ends of these pipes may be protected by well knownmeans such as to prevent wind from blow- Y ing in an adverse'manner, butas herein shown Both of the risers II, I2 lead to an overhead tank 43positioned ratherclosely to the ceiling line 43a. This tank may be ofany suitable size and shape; it may be oval, or cylindrical in crosssection as shown. A part of the conduit I I or an extension thereof mayproject upwardly into the tank at 44 along the central vertical planeofthe latter. mined with the pide is an opening in the top wall of thetank receiving a coaxial frame or bushing 45 of any suitable characteradapted to receive and support a small electrical high speed motor 45,such as is used for a fan blower. Connected to the motor shaft inalinement therewith is a spindle 41 carrying a screw impeller or rotor48 Acharacterized by a coarse helical thread. At the lower end of therotor, the spindle 41 projects into a spider 49 in which it isjournaled, this spider being welded or otherwise secured to the conduitII. In general, the arrangement is such that by removing the motor 45,the stem and rotor may be removed at the same time for inspection orrepair, with the rotor passing through the hole in the bushing 45.Alternatively, the spindle 41 may be detached from the motor when thelatter is lifted, and the rotor separately removed.

Certain details relative to the rotor 48 are more clearly shown, and insomewhat modified form, in Fig. 3. Here the elements to 54, inclusive,correspond to the respective parts II, 44, 41, 43 and 49 of Fig. 1. Itis now noted that the extension 5I may be axseparate nipple connected tothe conduit 50 as by a coupling 55 or other fitting adapted to be weldedor threaded into 'the tank. It is further seen that the stem extensionextends freely centrally through the spider 54, the 3 or 4 arms of whichmay be confined by the coupling 55 and clampingly secured between thesquared ends of the elements 50, 5I. The element 53 is of a substantiallength determined by two factors: First, the amount of water per hourthat is to be drawn upwardly thereby into the tank, which is alsoaffected by the depth of the helical thread and capacity of thehelicalthread 51 and the speed of rotation; and, second, the elevation at whichthe rotor begins to pump water upwardly into the tank 43, relative 'tothe water level 55 therein, as determinative of a dierence in headeffectuating circulation of water in the system in an accurate andprecise manner independent of the mere speed of rotation of the rotor.It is noted that some clearance may be observed between the rotor andits pipe casing', and that ,the upper end of the rotor projectstherefrom to expel the water easily into the tank. The water so expelledis adapted to flow down the conduit I 2 to provide the necessarycirculation, the speed and force of which may be substantially betterthan that induced by mere temperature differences in the water. Thiseect may aid that caused by the temperature diil'erences or may even bein opposition thereto, as the source of heat may be in either oi' theconduits II and I2. The important thing is that the operation is nolonger dependent upon natural circulation.

' Yet if the motor should become inoperative, the

presence of the helical screw would not prevent natural circulation ofthe water.

For replenishing water lost from the system as by evaporation, a watersupply conduit BI having a valve .Il is connected by a union iitting IIto a bushing 32 that may be threaded into a T fitting Il. Connected tothe latter is a bushing 84 which may comprise a nange a plate forclosing an opening in the tank that is suillciently large for removal ofa ball noat I! from the tank. Connected to the float are the alinedstems or rods II, 31 slidingly centrally guided in spiders Il, 33respectively, located in the fitting 33 and in the conduit I2, thesespiders being like that at u, and being secured in any suitable manner.Carried by the rod 3i is a valve 10 for a valve seat in the bushing M.The valve is tapered and is generally of the shape of a needle valve,with the opening controlled by the valve being so small that the float05 is capable of sustaining the load of tightly closing the valve. Ifdesired, the stem Il can be omitted, and two spaced spiders l! appliedbelow the iloat to guide the same, so that the valve can be taperedvofffor a long fine point and made of a maximum diameter of one eighth of aninch or less. Only an occasional trickle of water is necessary to keepthe volume of water in the system constant to maintain a desired waterlevel such as 58.

In the event that the system must be drained and refilled, a large flowof water may be obtained by employing a branch 'II from the side outletof the fitting 63 to the end of the tank, this branch having a unionfitting 'I2 and a valve 13, which can be opened for this purpose but isnormally closed. When the system is to remain drained, the valve 80 isclosed.

An overow pipe 'I4 connectible by a union I3 to a waste pipe leads intothe tank 43 slightly above the water level 58, and slightly above thiselevation, it may include a larger pipe fitting or casing 'I6 for a ballvalve 11, the casing communicating with the atmosphere at pipe 18extending through wall 4I. The ball valve is l adapted to bleed steampressure to the atmosphere, and is otherwise normally closed.

In operation, the direction of circulatory ow may be as indicated by thearrows in Fig. 4. I'hus the heated water passing down conduit I2 andpipe I5 enters conduit I1 and flows in the direction of arrow 19,through the radiators 20 successively. The radiator at the extreme rightmay be heated last, although all of the right group of radiators 80 canbe heated practically simultaneously. 'I'hen the hot water flows alongconduit I9 as indicated by arrows 3| to the group of radiators 32 whichare then heated in the same manner as those at 30, the return flow beingindicated by arrow 33 along conduit I8 to pipe Il and up conduit Il. Therotor 48 or 53 draws the water into the tank from which it flows to theheater 33 to complete the circuit. If the heater unit' is placed inconduit II, the temperature differences assist the circulation of thewater and the tank 43 may be insulated to avoid heat losses.

It will be appreciated that the motor I8 may be considered a variablespeed motor, if desired, so that the speed of the rotor may be changedby a control that is within easy reach. Further the spindle 4l may beadjustably connected to the motor shaft by any device, as by a hollowcoupling 84 to permit the rotor 48 to be raised or lowered foradjustment, relative to its casing Il.

It will be noted that the rotor 53 may also be driven in a reversedirection to exert a downward force, although the lifting action is moredesirable for the reasons stated. In any event, the casing or extension4I maintains the approximate water level 58.

I claim:

1. A hot water heating system including a casing, a heat exchange means,conduits connecting the latter with the casing in circulatory relationfor a liquid illling the conduits, a source of heat for the liquid, saidcasing being disposed at an elevation substantially higher than that ofthe heat exchange means, means for maintaining a ilxed water level inthe casing, a helical rotor adapted to be constantly rotated andextending into one of the conduits from the free water level to a pointtherebelow, and means for driving the rotor, the rotor havingcooperation with said conduit to lift a quantity of liquid there,- frominto the casing at said free water level whence the liquid flowsdownward into the other conduit to thus cause the heated liquid tocirculate.

2. A device including a liquid illled heating system including anexpansion tank, means for maintaining a fixed water level in said tank,heat transmitting means connected to the tank in circulatory relationtherewith, comprising conduits extending downwardly from the tank, arotor having a helical screw thread having a series of teeth projectinginto one of the conduits, an uppermost tooth being at the water leveland means for causing rotation of the rotor whereby an upwarddisplacement of liquid is caused as between the conduit and the tank tothus produce circulation of the liquid, said member being so related tothe conduits as to permit natural circulation of the water if the memberis inoperative.

3. A device including a tank, heat transmitting liquid filled meanscomprising conduits extending downward from the tank and being incirculatory relation therewith, means whereby said tank is adapted tomaintain a predetermined free water level, and liquid lifting meansincluding a rotor, a. casing therefor communicating directly with one ofthe conduits, said casing freely communicating at its upper end with thetank substantially at said free Water level, and means for actuating therotor, the rotor being positioned so that one operative portion thereofis at said free Water level and another operative portion thereof is ata point spaced below the said free water level according to a desireddifference in liquid head sufficient to produce active circulation ofthe liquid against the frictional resistance of the conduits, said rotorthus serving to continuously lift the liquid in its casing from saidpoint to said free water level for discharging into the tank to ilowdownwardly into another conduit for circulation of the liquid.

4. A hot water heating system including circulatory heat transmittingmeans comprising liquid filled upright conduits, heat exchange meansinterconnecting the conduits at their lower end, a tank interconnectingthe conduits at their upper end, the tank having mea-ns for maintaininga ilxed, free water level therein, one conduit having a portionextending into the tank to a point above the other conduit, a helicalscrew propeller in said portion having its upper operative portion atthe upper end of said conduit portion and at said free water level, anda motor for actuating the propeller having its shaft directly connectedto the propeller, and serving to cause the latter to lift a quantity oiwater from said @scares conduit to overilow into the tank, saidpropeller and conduit so cooperating with each other that the amount ofwater lifted per unit oi time is proportioned to the depth to which thepropeller extends into said conduit, and is sumcient to produce anincreased circulatory ilow of the water.

5. A hot water heating system according to claim 4 wherein means isprovided for adjusting the position of the propeller in order to adjustthe depth to which it extends into the water. to thus control the amountof water upwardly displaced.

MAXIM KRONFELD.

